Hello world! ¡Salud!
Growing up, I always heard that mission was going to be the hardest thing that I would ever do up to this point in my life. I didn´t really understand what could possibly so hard about serving a mission...you just go out and share the Gospel with people. Worst case scenario, I get rejected and have to walk around in the sun or rain all day. Or maybe I would have to eat gross food or get bit by a dog or attacked or something. But even considering all these things, I still didn´t understand what was going to be the hard part. I mean, surely if I had sufficient faith, then I would be able to see past all those things and trust in God, trust in His plan, and just keep working. This was my thought process, and I still believe it, but this week I was able to understand some of the harder things about the mission.
Where to start....
Okay. Thursday night. 6 days ago. A sweet lady in our ward passed away. She´s a member of one of the strongest families in our ward, a family who we spend a lot of time with in service and church activities. This lady had been sick since October, and these past 2 weeks the infirmity acceralted and pretty suddenly it took her life. I suppose that´s a part of life, but it was still sad mourning with everyone over her death. Of course, understanding the plan of Salvation offered everyone a perspective and comfort that only truth can provide, which has been appreciated this weekend.
Friday night, 5 days ago. Do you remember that family that was baptized in February? Well, there´s been some legal issues due to complicated (and tragic) history in the family, issues that put some serious strains in the family. After being abandoned by her husband for another family (wife and kids) he had "on the side", this lady was left to raise her 5 kids on her own. 2 of these kids have slight forms of autism. Being raising them and working, here in the streets of La Pintana, the kids spent a lot of time in the streets playing with friends until their mom was home and able to bring them food and, well, be their mother. Long story short, one of her childeren got involved with drugs which caused some serious issues, creating concerns from the Neighbors and the Chilean Version of the CPS. Years later, the CPS shows back up and on Friday, the kids were temporarily taken from the house. In 6 months there will be a re-evaluation and we´ll see where things go.
We were able to give these kids all blessings, with our Bishop, before they left, and The Spirit was strong as we enjoyed the blessings of The Priesthood in that home on that night. A good example of the blessings that come from a knowledge and faith of The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Saturday. 4 days ago. Camila, our investigator who has been ready and excited about her baptism since the beginning of February decided that she didn´t want to be baptized. She was crying and sad that her only friends at church (the kids who were just taken from their mom) weren´t going to be there anymore. Camila is 12 years old. Her family is a little rocky. She started to coming to church with Gerald, Victor, and Antonella in the beginning of January. We found her through them. But the poor little girl was heartbroken that her only friends were gone, and didn´t have the desire to be baptized anymore. There isn´t much to say, really, the only thing to do was be sad with her and let her feel and understand that we were asd, too.
So, those were the major events of our week. I suppose it is hard being a missionary for the same reasons that it is so great: You grow to love the people. That love increases both our capacity to feel joy as it does our capacity to experience pain. I´m sure all parents out there understand that relationship much better than I do. It would make sense that He who has the greatest love for us is also He who suffered, and continues to suffer, the most for us as well. The very first chapter of the Book of Mormon offers a perfect message of solace to those who suffer:
After Lehi tried to do what was right, he suffered (v. 18-20). He suffered even to the point where he almost loses his life, as Nephi says, "And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away". This week I was able to see 3 people who are just trying their best to do what´s right, (can I include myself and say that I saw 4 people trying their best to do what´s right?) and the suffering that came as a result. But Nephi goes on to give the comfort that I put my trust in, that all Latter-Day Saints who suffer put their trust in: But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.
Righteous suffering is the prelude to melodious tender mercies. After all, it was only after his suffering that Lehi was kinda obligated to leave Jerusalem, which was his first step in the direction towards The Promised Land.
So, the hope and certainty of tender mercies and a Promised Land give me hope that all will be well in the lives of those with whom I was able to suffer a little bit this week.
General Conference woo!
-Elder Hixon
